Trinitarian

The Newsletter for the Congregation & Friends of

Holy Trinity Sloane Square
July - September 2010

God’s Creation
“And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they
grow; they neither toil nor spin…”
Matthew 6:28
I’ve recently spent a week celebrating Chelsea
in Bloom, and I was invited to view the Chelsea
Flower Show after hours. A secret garden!
The first place I went to was the rose garden.
Each rose individual and unique named after an
individual, some famous, some I had never
heard of. I of course stopped to smell the
roses.
I have to say the show simply took my breath
away – banks of colour, gardens full of exotic
plants and flowers I have never seen before, as
well as simple country gardens full of
hollyhocks and sweet peas. What struck me
about it all was the sense of fun and joy that
was had in creating such beautiful gardens.
As well as awaking all my senses it was also a
spiritual experience. Each plant and flower
came from a small insignificant seed. Within
that seed the potential for exquisite beauty.
Gardeners are the ultimate optimists. What could be more an act of faith than planting
a seed? All the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today. To plant a garden is to
believe in the future.
In the same way God has placed in us the seed of love which if nurtured and cared for

‘God has placed in us the seed of love which if nurtured and cared for will
blossom into people of exquisite beauty.’

will blossom into people of exquisite beauty.

Jesus reminds us of the lilies of the field which didn’t strive or work to be so beautiful –
they simply turned their faces to the sun and allowed the warmth of God’s love and the
refreshing rain of his compassion to help them reach the sky.
Page 2 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

‘So let’s encourage An Uplifting Evening

one another to take a Max Morgan-Witts
stroll in the garden or Trustee of the Trinity Arts and Crafts Guild
park and to marvel at This was truly surprising; the first night of the Guild’s annual
God’s creation...’ exhibition actually fulfilling – almost for the first time – its name: Arts
and Crafts. For this was not only art in the conventional sense of
So let’s encourage one paintings and sculpture, and craft in the form of jewellery, but the
another to take a stroll performing arts were included, music, dance, poetry.
in the garden or park
The vitality and talent of the young performers was heart-warming.
and to marvel at God’s
They made one feel good. They provided a perfect start to the
creation and vow to be evening. Combined with the work of the artists – which this year
good stewards of the was of a commendable standard – there really was something for
beauty he provides. everyone. And there were three early sales: a sculpture plus two
paintings sold almost before they had been hung.
As I mentioned, I
wandered through the Father Rob and his wife Janine had worked hard to revive the
rose garden and original intention of the Guild, to encompass the arts in its many and
noticed every rose was varied forms. On the basis of this evening, they have succeeded.
They, the artists, and the performing artists are all to be
named after a person. I
congratulated on providing us with this year’s most memorable and
have discovered there enjoyable beginning to the Guild’s annual 2010 exhibition.
is a ‘Rambling Rector’
rose!

The Revd Rob Gillion

Rector

A reflection
Almighty God you
have created the
heavens and the
earth and made us
in your own image.
Teach us to discern
your hand in all your
works and to serve
you with reverence
and thanksgiving
through Jesus
Christ our Lord who
with you and the
Holy Spirit reigns
supreme over all
things now and
forever. Amen.
Page 3 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

A Close Encounter in
Walton Place
Robin Hellier

I do not expect to be inspired at ten o’clock on a Saturday

morning but life is full of surprises. Invited with other
members of the Holy Trinity PCC to St Saviour’s in Walton
Place, soon to be our sister church in a combined, enlarged
parish, I crossed the threshold for the first time unprepared
for a morning of revelation.
What to do with a redundant barn of a Victorian church but to sell part of it and
reconstruct what remains as a series of multi functional spaces. It is a triumph. I had
uneasily anticipated an arts centre masquerading as a church but St Saviour’s
remains, magnificently, a place of worship with a palpable spirituality evident in the
comfortable and welcoming ground floor reception, the vast basement reception
room and, above all, in the luminous chamber which floats on the first floor where
the congregation worships under the serene gaze of angelic corbels. It is easy, in
such a room, to understand how a tradition of contemplative worship flourishes
here. These rooms, variously, serve as theatre, concert hall, green room, school
room or party room but we are never in any doubt that we are in church.
Our morning progressed with a series of presentations about the life and the
ministry of St Saviour’s. Notably, the church is home to the Intermission project
which uses drama to reach out to some of the most underprivileged and vulnerable
youngsters in London. The church proffers a hand to those of different faiths and no
faith at all but always celebrates generosity and good will.
The St Saviour’s tradition is rather different to the stately progression of the liturgical
year as we celebrate it in Holy Trinity but it was very clear, as the members of the
two churches took communion together at the conclusion of the morning’s activity,
that the traditions of the two churches will march along very happily together in the
service of our community.
Page 4 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

OUR NEW CHURCHWARDEN

Martin Cleveland is no stranger to Holy Trinity as for the
last seven years he has been part of the team that
enables the church to function as a wonderful place of
worship and mission.
It was after his wife, Joan, died at the end of 2002 that
Martin moved to Beckenham and was introduced to Holy
Trinity by his daughter, Lisa, who lives in Chelsea.
By profession Martin is a Chartered Structural Engineer
and has been associated with projects throughout the
country from the Chapter House at Truro Cathedral in
Cornwall to a Communications Facility in the Shetland
Islands.
He was born in Yorkshire but his parents and two younger sisters moved to Kent
when he was seven years old. He went to Beckenham Grammar School and after
further studies at what was then the well respected Brixton School of Building, but
now the South Bank University, qualified as an Engineer in 1964. Following his
marriage to Joan in the same year at St John’s Church, Eden Park they lived in
Tonbridge in Kent and he commuted daily to London. After several moves, including
a spell in Cornwall, their final property was in Abingdon near Oxford where they lived
for over twenty years. He was confirmed at St John’s in 1953 and throughout his life
has been involved with the church. Invariably he has been responsible for financial
and property matters and this has continued at Holy Trinity where he is officially
Deputy Treasurer but he also spends time attending to fixing things. Martin will be
able to do it!
Our new Churchwarden is very fond of the outdoor life. Indeed for the last two years
of employment he swapped a warm office for a site Portakabin and complete with
muddy boots and a hard hat supervised the construction of a multi-million pound
transport facility near Oxford. He thoroughly enjoys walking, especially along coastal
paths, and finds that it is so easy to be aware of the presence of God in the solitude
and in the beauty of nature. Early on Saturday mornings he can be found driving his
MG sports car along the country lanes in Kent. He has always been passionately
interested in cars especially those with an MG badge.
Soon after he left Abingdon Martin became a volunteer Mystery Guest visiting
various hotels throughout the country. He had to report on every aspect of his one
night visit from the initial booking of the accommodation to his payment of the bill on
departure. Examination of the condition of the room was generally straightforward
but to make an assessment of the restaurant and public areas required some
ingenuity to ensure that the staff did not become suspicious.
Martin was absolutely delighted when Fr Rob asked him if he would consider being
appointed as Churchwarden and completely overwhelmed by the reception he
received at the Sunday service following the Annual General Church Meeting. He is
looking forward to continuing to work with and support the team and members of the
congregation in the furtherance of God’s Kingdom here in Chelsea.
Page 5 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

New PCC Members

We are delighted to welcome three new PCC members

Andrew Baker
I came to worship regularly at Holy
Trinity following my moving to Pimlico
in September 2008 after a life-
changing series of events. I received,
equally from everyone at Holy Trinity,
wonderful support and a warm
welcome. I appreciate hugely the
music, the diversity of all the
characters, and also the beauty of
the church itself.

Caroline Watts
I worshipped at St Barnabas, Addison Road for over 20
years and Nick and I married there 10 years ago. Recently
we moved to Battersea and it became rather a journey to
north-ish Kensington so we decided that we wanted to
worship closer to home. We had met Rob and Janine
through mutual friends and with my background in classical
music, the idea of worshipping at HTSS was attractive. In
addition Rob is very supportive of the 2011 Trust, which I
administrate. It has been established to celebrate the 400th
anniversary of the King James Bible next year and the
impact that the KJV has had on this country’s culture and history over the last 400
years, as well as internationally. As HTSS has a great outreach ministry we hope
that we can reach out to some of the thousands of people who have never seen a
Bible, let alone read one, in this country. I look forward to my relationship with the
living Lord being enhanced by the worship at HTSS and seeing how we can reach
the thousands who have no knowledge of God.

Lawrence Deneault
I have been in the financial services industry for over 24
years. In early 1990 I represented a client in Istanbul, and
stayed in Europe ever since. My wife Magdalena and I
moved to London in 1997. We started attending services at
Holy Trinity over a year ago, and felt that after a long search,
we have finally found our church home. I have been involved
with various charities over the years and was a member of
the Parish Council for St. Judes Anglican Church, (London).
In the early 90's I was involved in the production of animated
children's films teaching young children non-violent resolution
to conflict.
Page 6 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Confirmation Eucharist – Sunday 23/v/10 – Pentecost

11.00 am Holy Trinity, Sloane Square – by Bishop Kenneth Stevenson
Readings: Acts 2:1-17/John 14:8-17.
One of the reasons that we have gathered here this
morning is to focus on thirteen people, who are shortly to
be confirmed. Each one of them will come up to kneel in
front of me, and using their name, their individuality, I
shall lay my hands on them, in the name of the whole
Church. I know that they will have their support-parties
here, family, friends, well-wishers – people who may
have known them and come to love them over some
time, even in some cases many years. You, the
supporters, will know their characters, their mannerisms,
the little things that make them recognisable to you and
to others; the head, the smile, the way they walk, the
way they speak, and perhaps how they might be a little
shy or nervous in the presence of strangers. All these
things, and much more, are ‘them’, and it can all be very
endearing! Try to wind back the film of their lives to
earlier times, and you’ll see the seeds of what they have
now become.
This morning’s gospel can’t tell us all this, of course. But
it does tell us about one of the followers of Jesus who’s already cropped up before. It’s Philip,
who suddenly asks Jesus to ‘show us the Father (God), and we shall be satisfied.’ (Jn 14:8)
‘Come on Jesus,’ he’s saying, ‘get on with it, stop doing and saying such strange things. We’ve
had enough of it. We want some concrete results. We’re practical folk. We’re running out of
patience with you.’
But….. before we look at how Jesus handles such an interviewer – and Jesus in the Gospels is
superb at dealing with the Jon Snows and Jeremy Paxmans of his age – let’s wind this
particular film back and see what Philip has been like so far. We have three clips to help us.
The first two show him as someone who is a kind of go-between, who gets people to Jesus.

— and Jesus in the Gospels is superb at dealing with the

Jon Snows and Jeremy Paxmans of his age —

So, right at the start of Jesus’ ministry, when Jesus tells him to ‘Follow me’, he responds by
bringing someone else to Jesus, called Nathaniel, encouraging him to join the gang as well (Jn
1:43-44). The second is when strangers who are around decide to come to Philip in order to
say, ‘we want to see Jesus’ (Jn 12:21-22), and he gets on with it. Philip is approachable to the
outsider – he doesn’t terrify them with great words and deeds. He’s practical about people. And
then, thirdly, we see another side to his practical nature. When he realises Jesus suddenly
needs to feed five thousand people, he remarks that a year’s wage won’t be enough to pay for
it (Jn 6:7), not knowing that for Jesus five rolls and two small preserved fish are somehow
going to be enough. So he’s practical about worldly things as well, a sort of on-the-spot
treasurer, who can eye up a situation and tell you exactly what you’ll need.
This character Philip now asks Jesus to ‘show us the Father’. It is not just his request. It is our
request – yes, we who like to think we are practical people, desperate for our faith to work, to
have results, to have outcomes, that we can feel, and see, and touch. That’s what the world
seems to cry out for. It’s what our culture yearns for. And if nothing tangible or impressive
comes of it, then let’s discard the whole game of Christianity as a sham, give up coming here
Page 7 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square
week by week to listen to the Christian story and break bread together – and simply go home.
We are Philip, with his mannerisms, his questions, his impatience, his endearing habit of being
on the edge, amenable to the outsider, and perhaps refreshingly not always looking at the
inside game of the Church, with all its sometimes tedious preoccupations and irrelevant
controversies.
We want Jesus to ‘show us the Father’. We desperately want our search for meaning, for
coherence, for love, for mercy, for purpose, for forgiveness, and much else – to be met,
suddenly, once and for all, now, and for ever. And how does Jesus reply? ‘Whoever has seen
me has seen the Father.’ (Jn 14:9) He’s saying, ‘I’ve been with you all this time, and I am the

And how does Jesus reply? ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.’ (Jn
14:9) He’s saying, ‘I’ve been with you all this time, and I am the one who can
show you God – because I am the human face of God, walking with you,
conversing with you, washing you, feeding you, challenging you, healing you,
helping you to see life in an entirely fresh way, and encouraging you to do
exactly the same for other people as well.’

one who can show you God – because I am the human face of God, walking with you,
conversing with you, washing you, feeding you, challenging you, healing you, helping you to
see life in an entirely fresh way, and encouraging you to do exactly the same for other people
as well.’
So how do we rekindle that vision of Jesus as the human face of God in our lives? Well, our
thirteen confirmation candidates, of several shapes and sizes, and ages and interests, are in a
way proof of that human face of God. They are living witnesses to what we are trying to be and
to do not just this morning, but tomorrow, next week, and for the rest of our lives. That may not
sound spectacular in the world’s eyes, but, as Jesus tells us in the gospel, they are the ‘greater
works’ – the ‘greater works’ - of God (Jn 14:12), even if they may seem very small, insignificant,
intangible and unimpressive. We may stumble, we may doubt, things might get very tough, our
faith may become weak, or dull, or even at times rather boring. But we keep going, and we
come back for more, with new questions, new problems, new challenges, new opportunities.
And the gift of God’s power, God’s Holy Spirit, will ‘abide’ in us (Jn 14:17), and will descend on
us as an all-age gift – an all-age gift - where, in the words of this morning’s first reading, the
young can indeed ‘see visions’ and the old can ‘dream dreams’ (Acts 2:17: Joel 2:28).
Page 8 Trinitarian
WHAT IS LIVING FAITH?
Living Faith for the Future is an exciting vision for
exploring holistic mission at Holy Trinity.
There is never the need to reinvent the wheel if
we can discover where an appropriate wheel lies.
We have an exciting opportunity to share with the
Diocese of Oxford in this vision and to explore
how it can be developed to fit the particular style
of mission and ministry here at Holy Trinity.
The supportive literature for Living Faith clearly
outlines what is involved in the development of
this exciting and challenging vision for the church.
WHY DO WE NEED IT?
It’s not about rejecting the past and starting all
over again. Nor is it a heavy handed ‘strategy’. It
is about resetting the compass, and offering fresh
direction. What Living Faith offers is a touchstone
to remind us all of the values we try to live by and
the directions we need to take if we are to be
faithful to Jesus Christ in the 21st century.
It’s rather like a palette of colours which we can
use in our own unique way to create that work of
vibrant, colourful and distinctive beauty, which is
our particular response to God’s mission.
WHAT IS THE VISION?
The transformation of all human life under God.
WHAT ARE THE VALUES?
Contemplative: attentive to God. ‘Devote
yourselves to prayer…’ (Colossians 4.2)
Creative: imaginatively releasing and harnessing
all the gifts of all God’s people. ‘We have gifts that
differ according to the grace given to
us…’ (Romans 12.6)
Continuous: rooted in scripture, faithful to the
traditions we have received and seeking to give
them fresh expression. ‘For I received from the
Lord what I also handed on to you…’
(1 Corinthians 11.23)
Accountable: to God and to each other as we
build for tomorrow as well as today. ‘Give to God
the things that are God’s ….’ (Luke 20.25)
Holy Trinity Sloane Square
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
To join with God in creating a caring, sustainable
and growing Christian presence by enabling
every individual within our local Christian
community in this part of Chelsea to live and
share the love of God, seen in the life of Jesus
Christ.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?
SUSTAINING THE SACRED CENTRE
This is about encouraging all of us to deepen our
enjoyment of God, and to recognise God’s
presence in everyday life.
MAKING DISCIPLES
This is about the core task left to us by Jesus. It
usually takes the form of accompanying people
on a journey to faith by the intentional use of
nurture courses, mentoring, or simple friendship,
and then encouraging them to follow Christ in
everyday life.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD
This is about recognising that a holistic
understanding of God’s action in the world, social
justice and prophetic witness cannot be put in a
box as a specialism or an extra, but is at the heart
of the calling of every Christian community in its
own context.
C R E AT I N G V I B R AN T C H R I S T I AN
COMMUNITIES
This is about shaping ‘communities of grace’
which exhibit the character of Jesus. Such
attractive communities are genuinely hospitable,
deeply engaged with their communities, and
passionate about God.
SHAPING CONFIDENT, COLLABORATIVE
LEADERSHIP
This is about developing leadership using all the
resources available to the local church. It will
involve a mixture of consolidation and new work
to build up shared ministry in teams, with
appropriate training and support.
HOW WILL ALL THIS BE INTRODUCED AT
HOLY TRINITY?
In September we will launch a series of five Bible
studies on St John’s Gospel.
The aim of these studies will be to explore the five
priorities of the Living Faith vision.
The Living Faith Bible Studies will be held in Holy
Trinity Church on Wednesday evenings 7.30pm –
8.50pm.
Page 9 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Living Faith Bible Study Dates

Wednesday 22nd September Sustaining The Sacred Centre

Wednesday 29th September Making Disciples
Wednesday 6th October Making a Difference in Society
Wednesday 13th October Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
Wednesday 20th October Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership

Springtide Gala
Alexandra Stevenson
The Chelsea Schubert Festival is in its fifth year. In addition to the myriad of events planned
for September, this year we had a ‘Springtide Gala’, which coincided with Trinity Arts week,
the Chelsea Flower Show and finished on Trinity Sunday. Coming at the end of a sun-filled
and vibrant week, this three day mini festival not only warmed our audiences up for
September but was a delightful microcosm of all that the festival and indeed Trinity Arts is
about. Friday night was a theme of ‘Reflections on Love’: Andrew O’Brien and myself,
accompanied by Marc Verter, sang everything from Schubert to Novello, whilst trained
actors Rob and Janine Gillion trod if not the boards but the marble floors of the art-lined
church with dramatic extracts ranging from Shakespeare to Tom Lehrer. On Saturday, the
Performance Laboratory of the GSMD led a workshop for students travelling from far and
wide; enthusiasm and musicality prevailed as master classes were given on authentic
Classical performance. Ilona Domnich, an exquisite soprano gave a moving song recital in
the evening with great integrity. On the Sunday afternoon, following a triumphant Schubert
Mass in G in the morning, the festival ended with a sumptuous performance of the Schubert
Octet, played on period instruments. This weekend was truly diverse, enriching, exciting and
full of promise of things to come. Arts and musical styles were fused and audiences were
inspired and delighted. We must thank the Gillions for their unforgettable performance and
much appreciated support over the weekend.
2010

12th - 19th September 2010

(Under the umbrella of the Trinity Arts and Crafts Guild)

The week long festival will present a superb array of musicians both new to the festival and
some who have performed for us in the past. The festival will be opened by the world
renowned singer baritone Jonathan Lamalu accompanied by Marc Verter and will close with
Nick Mulroy singing Schubert’s great Miller cycle. The Chelsea Schubert Festival Song
Competition will continue into its second year involving students from across the country and
a Schumann day of concerts and lectures will be held to celebrate the great composer’s 200th
anniversary.

Please check the website closer to the time for more information:
www.chelseaschubertfest.co.uk For tickets contact: 07554 658 458.
Sophy Robertson-Smith’s paintings will accompany this festival.
Page 10 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

INVITATION
The Trinity Arts and Crafts Guild presents:

The opening night for a dazzling exhibition of quilts entitled

“THE FABRIC OF LIFE” by textile artist Vicky Glyn
Tuesday 7th September from 6.30pm
All welcome!
Wine and light refreshments and a chance to preview this exhibition.

Especially for this show at Holy Trinity, Vicky is doing a new work entitled
“Trinity Sunday”

Exhibition on from 8th September to 19th September.

Mon - Fri 10.00am - 5.00pm. Saturdays 10.00am - 4.00pm. Sundays 1.00pm - 5.00pm.

Works for sale in all price ranges

and an illustrated booklet of Vicky's work for sale.

If you saw the Quilts at the V&A exhibition (on until July) you will appreciate Vicky's
colourful and radiant quilts at Holy Trinity. Others who think of quilts as just dull floral
eiderdowns or bedspreads will have a happy surprise when they see these.
Vicky does contemporary art quilts with a spiritual aspect to them. Geometric rather than
pictorial, they are contemplative works, glowing with light and inviting the viewer to pause
and reflect. Seven of the quilts are a series on the theme of “Revelation”. Others deal
with a wide experience of life, from vineyards and flower shows to expressions of faith,
hope and vision.

The Awareness Foundation is pleased to announce the Awareness Forum Lecture

at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London SW1X 9BZ
on Thursday 28th October 2010 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm
Guest Speaker: Dr George Sabra
Dean of the Near East School of Theology, Beirut
International Consultant, Awareness Foundation
“Christian Responses to Islam in the Near East”

Tickets are £5.00. Tickets can be purchased at the door or please contact
the Awareness Foundation office to reserve a place.
Tel: 020 7259 0619 or 020 7730 8830 Email: middleeast@awareness-foundation.com
Website: www.awareness-foundation.com
Page 11 Trinitarian Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Holy Trinity’s Christmas Cards

Please support Holy Trinity by purchasing your Christmas cards from the church.
Christmas cards and order forms can be collected from the church office.
We have six designs featuring photographs of Holy Trinity’s beautiful windows.
A pack of ten cards of the same design costs £4.95.

CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES SHOP

Opens 25th September until 20th December 2010

Some Dates for your diary

Sunday 18th July
11:00am Vocations Sunday
Preacher The Revd Martin Breadmore, the new Kensington Area
Director of Ministry.
Thursday 9th September
7.00pm Mother’s Union Meeting
To be held at St Saviour’s Church, Walton Place, London SW3 1SA
Speaker to be advised
Sunday 26th September
11.00am Harvest Sunday
Please bring gifts of non perishable food to the church office by the 26th.
These will be given to the West London Churches Homeless Concern.

Forthcoming Concerts at Holy Trinity

Tuesday 13th July
7.30pm Avarice and Envy – The Music of Craving, Londinium
Wednesday 21st July
8.00pm City Consort of Voices
Saturday 2nd October
7.30pm The Elysian Singers
Saturday 30th October
7.30pm UCL Music Society
Tuesday 9th November
7.00pm Flanders and Swann
Performed by Michael Mates and William Godfree to raise
funds for the charity Hope and Homes for Children.
Saturday 13th November
7.30pm Thomas's Choral Society
 HOLY TRINITY SLOANE
SQUARE
Sloane Street
London
SW1X 9BZ
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)20 7730 7270

Fax: +44 (0)20 7730 9287
info@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
www.holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk

© Ann Dent

Rector & Area Dean of Chelsea: The Revd Rob Gillion

Email: rector@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Assistant Priest: The Revd Graham Rainford
Email: priest@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk

Awareness Foundation
Director: The Revd Nadim Nassar
Awareness Foundation phone: +44 (0)20 7730 8830
Email: director@awareness-foundation.com
Website: www.awareness-foundation.com

Morning & Evening Prayer is said daily, Monday to Friday, at 9.00am & 5.00pm
Saturday 10.30am & 4.00pm
The Eucharist is celebrated on Wednesdays at 6.30pm, and Thursdays at 1.10pm
On Sundays, the Eucharist is said at 8.45am, and sung at 11.00am.